U.S. President Donald Trump announced the appointment of Jay Clayton, the current national intelligence director, as the head of the government’s efforts to uphold American leadership in artificial intelligence (AI). Trump, advocating for the rebranding of AI as “super intelligence,” designated Clayton to lead the newly formed “Super Intelligence Force” (SIF), responsible for overseeing interactions with consumers, religious organizations, AI firms, and other stakeholders.
Through a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed the goal of SIF to ensure America’s ongoing dominance in Super Intelligence and to safeguard the interests and well-being of all Americans. The move aligns with a prior Wall Street Journal report confirming Clayton’s role in spearheading the administration’s drive to keep the U.S. at the forefront of AI technologies.
Clayton emphasized the urgency of maintaining a leading position in AI, stating that the consequences of not doing so are significant. The newly established task force, led by Clayton, will have 120 days to assess the risks and advantages associated with AI, recommending the federal government’s involvement in the sector.
Addressing concerns surrounding AI safety, recent weeks have seen heightened discussions on the potential risks posed by the technology, with fears of it posing a threat to humanity within the next decade. Trump’s stance on AI regulation has been relatively hands-off, citing concerns that excessive oversight might undermine competitiveness against China. Clayton’s panel will evaluate AI-related risks, enhance government response mechanisms, and propose ways to strengthen federal capabilities within existing frameworks.
This marks the second instance where Trump has appointed an advisor to oversee AI-related decisions across the government, with Clayton taking the reins this time. Alongside Clayton, the task force will include Andrew Ferguson, Federal Trade Commission chair; Emil Michael, Pentagon chief technology officer; and Scott Kupor, director of the Office of Personnel Management. The panel will report directly to the president and Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff.
